Network configuration for devices with constrained resources

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving a wireless beacon from an ad hoc network at a wireless device, wherein the wireless beacon includes a data structure that encodes at least a portion of a wireless identifier of an access point. The method includes configuring the wireless device from the data structure received from the wireless beacon. The method also includes establishing a wireless network between the access point and the wireless device utilizing at least a portion of the wireless identifier encoded in the data structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/473,567, filed on Apr. 8^(th), 2011, andentitled “WLAN CONFIGURATION METHOD FOR DEVICES WITH MEMORY AND CPUCONSTRAINTS,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Wireless network configuration often involves complex devices andconfiguration procedures to establish network connections for wirelessnetwork devices. In one example, a wireless local area network (WLAN)links two or more devices over a short distance using a wirelessdistribution method, usually providing a connection through a wirelessaccess point for Internet access. Such networks are often supported by alocal wireless access point such as in the home or business environmentthat communicates with one or more wireless devices to form the localnetwork. The majority of wireless access points are used in home orsmall business wireless networks. Establishing such networks has becomecommon procedure in regards to many devices that are available such aswith laptop computers and printers, for example. However, standardprocedures for adding a device to a network do not apply to devices thatmay have limited resources such as limited memory and processingcapabilities that do not support more elaborate configurationpossibilities.

SUMMARY

Network configuration systems and methods are provided for networkdevices having constrained resources such as limited memory andprocessing capabilities. In one example, a method includes receiving awireless beacon from an ad hoc network at a wireless device, wherein thewireless beacon includes a data structure that encodes at least aportion of a wireless identifier of an access point. The method includesconfiguring the wireless device from the data structure received fromthe wireless beacon. The method also includes establishing a wirelessnetwork between the access point and the wireless device utilizing atleast a portion of the wireless identifier encoded in the datastructure.

In another example, a method includes receiving a wireless beacon at awireless device via an ad hoc network, the wireless beacon having afirst configuration data structure to specify initial network settingsfor the wireless device. The method includes configuring the wirelessdevice according to the initial network settings specified in the firstdata structure. This includes establishing a connection with an accesspoint utilizing the initial network settings specified in the first datastructure. The method also includes broadcasting a second data structureto the wireless device over a designated communications port, the seconddata structure specifying a an updated security protocol for thewireless device. This can include configuring the wireless device andthe access point according to the updated security protocol specified inthe second data structure. The method can also include reestablishingthe connection between the wireless device and the access pointutilizing the updated security protocol.

In yet another example, a computer readable medium can be provided. Thecomputer readable medium comprise computer executable instructions thatwhen executed cause a processor to: process a wireless beacon receivedfrom an ad hoc network at a wireless device, wherein the wireless beaconincludes a data structure that encodes at least a portion of a wirelessidentifier of an access point. The instructions also cause the processorto configure the wireless device from the data structure received fromthe wireless beacon. This includes causing the processor to establish awireless network between the access point and the wireless deviceutilizing the at least a portion of the wireless identifier encoded inthe data structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for performing networkconfiguration of wireless devices having constrained resources.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a configuration data structure that canbe broadcast on a wireless beacon to configure wireless devices havingconstrained resources.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method for configuring a network devicehaving constrained resources.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method for first time configuration of anetwork device having constrained resources.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of data structure for a subsequentconfiguration of a network device having constrained resources.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for a subsequent configuration of anetwork device having constrained resources.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 for performing networkconfiguration of wireless devices 110 having constrained resources. Asused herein, the term “constrained resources” refers to limited computerresources in electronic devices such as limited memory capacity orlimited processing power, for example. In one example, modern laptopdevices can be considered to have almost unlimited memory and processingresources with over a gigabyte of memory in many applications and theability to process billions of CPU instructions per second. In contrast,the wireless devices described herein can be embedded devices with muchlower memory and processing capabilities (e.g., one megabyte of memoryand 100 megahertz operating speed which are orders of magnitude lessthan standard computing devices such as laptops).

The wireless devices 110 are shown as wireless device 1, wireless device2, though wireless device N, where N is a positive integer. The wirelessdevices 110 receive a wireless beacon 120 from an ad hoc network 130that is established by a local configuration device 140 such as a laptopcomputer, for example. The beacon 120 is a wireless signal thatbroadcasts network configuration information to the wireless devices110. The ad hoc network 130 is utilized as a temporary or initialnetwork (e.g., peer-to-peer network) that is employed between the localconfiguration device 140 and the wireless devices 110. The localconfiguration device 140 is configured to broadcast the wireless beacon120 across the ad hoc network to establish initial network configurationfor the wireless devices. Since the wireless devices 110 are constrainedin their memory and/or processing capacity, they do not have the ability(e.g., enough memory and/or processing power to support a complexconfiguration algorithm) to establish connections on their own with anaccess point 150. The access point 150 can later serve as a persistentnetwork connection for the wireless devices 110 after initial networkconfiguration has been established across the ad hoc network 130.

The ad hoc network 130 can be considered a peer-to-peer network thatdoes not utilize the access point 150 to establish connections andexchange configuration information between the local configurationdevice 140 and the wireless devices 110. In one example, the localconfiguration device 140 could be a laptop computer that employsstandard ad hoc wireless networking configuration procedures. This caninvolve selecting network connections under a control panel setup screenfrom a laptop operating system menu and then selecting properties to setup the ad hoc network. From the properties menu, a wireless connectioncan be selected and then available procedures followed for adding an adhoc network, for example. The local configuration device 140 could alsobe a less sophisticated device than a laptop computer such as adedicated wireless appliance, for example, which is programmedspecifically to supply configuration data structures to the wirelessdevices 110 via the wireless beacon 120. Alternatively or additionally,the configuration device can be any device or appliance that cantransmit the beacon 120 via an ad hoc network (e.g., it could be a smartphone, tablet PC or the like).

The wireless devices 110 can be preprogrammed (e.g., via embedded logic,EEPROM, chipset) to monitor/receive the beacon 120 and in response toconfigure itself to the wireless network provided by the access point150. The wireless devices 110 are typically embedded devices forestablishing a network connection to a home controller for example. Suchcontroller could operate systems within a home such as appliances forexample. The ad hoc network 130 can be used in situations such as aquick data exchange since the setup is straight forward and does notinitially require the access point 150. Due to its peer-to-peer layout,ad hoc connections are similar to Bluetooth connections, for example,and are generally not utilized for a permanent installation.

The wireless beacon 120 can include a data structure that encodes atleast a portion of a wireless identifier of the access point 150. Inaddition to the wireless identifier of the access point 150, the datastructure broadcast in the wireless beacon 120 could also include thetype of wireless network to establish and the type of security protocolsas well as security parameters to employ in a wireless networkconnection with the access point 150, for example. Each of the wirelessdevices 110 can configure itself for wireless network operations withthe access point 150 based on the data structure received from thewireless beacon. This can include establishing a wireless network 160between the access point 150 and the respective wireless devices 110utilizing at least a portion of the wireless identifier encoded in thedata structure. As will be described below, subsequent configurationdata can be transmitted to the wireless devices 110 such as to increasesecurity protocols within the wireless network 160. Variousconfiguration alternatives can also be supported in the wireless devices110 where such alternatives could be initiated via a configurationswitch selected on the wireless devices, for example. After the wirelessnetwork 160 has been established between the wireless devices 110 andthe access point 150, the ad hoc network 130 can be disabled and thelocal configuration device 140 then employed for other purposes as it isno longer needed to configure any of the wireless devices 110.

For purposes of simplification of explanation, in the present example,different components of the systems described herein are illustrated anddescribed as performing different functions. However, one of ordinaryskill in the art will understand and appreciate that the functions ofthe described components can be performed by different components, andthe functionality of several components can be combined and executed ona single component or be further distributed across more components. Forexample, the local configuration device 140 may be integrated into theaccess point 150 and operate the ad hoc network 130, which is separatefrom the wireless network 160, in response to a user input (e.g.,activating a configuration function thereof). The components can beimplemented, for example, as computer executable instructions (e.g.,software, firmware), hardware (e.g., CPU, an application specificintegrated circuit), or as a combination of both. In other examples, thecomponents could be distributed among remote devices across a network,for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a configuration data structure 200 thatcan be broadcast on a wireless beacon to supply network configurationfor wireless devices having constrained resources. As shown, theconfiguration data structure 200 can include various data fields such asa vendor prefix, a service set identifier (SSID) prefix size, an SSIDprefix which can include the full SSID or a partial SSID, a securitytype, a security key size, and a security key. The configuration datastructure 200 can include more or less fields than the exampleconfiguration data fields shown. The following table provides additionaldetails on the various example data fields in the configuration datastructure 200. Some of the acronyms for the example security typesincluded in the table include wireless encryption protocol (WEP), Wi-Fiprotected access protocol (WPA), pre-shared key protocol (PSK), andWi-Fi protected access 2 pre-shared key (WPA2 PSK).

TABLE 1 Field Field Name Length Field Description Vendor Prefix 3 Usedto identify wireless device vendor. Programmed into wireless deviceEEPROM. Published by Device vendor in “Quick Setup guide, for example”SSID Prefix 1-15 First characters of the access points SSID to connect.Can be full SSID. Wireless device can connect to SSID that starts fromSSID Prefix. SSID Prefix Size 1 SSID Prefix Size Security Type 1Connection Security type: None, WEP, WPA PSK, WPA2 PSK Security Key Size1 Size of security key per Security type Security Key 0-16 Security Keyin the format defined by Security Type

Based on the data contained in the configuration data structure 200 andbroadcast on the wireless beacon described above, the wireless devicecan then use such information to configure itself for subsequent networkoperation with an access point. In one configuration alternative, for afirst time configuration of the wireless device, a standard userinterface from a conventional operating system can be employed to startan ad hoc network with the SSID defined per first time configurationstructure guidelines without providing any security parameters. Inanother configuration alternative, a profile can be added to a wirelessconnections manager of the operating system for SSID defined per firsttime configuration structure guidelines. The wireless device user canthen request to connect to this SSID contained in the profile and cancontinue to make requests to reconnect if there are connection failures.

In view of the foregoing structural and functional features describedabove, an example method will be better appreciated with reference toFIGS. 3, 4, and 6. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, themethods are shown and described as executing serially, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the methods are not limited by theillustrated order, as parts of the methods could occur in differentorders and/or concurrently from that shown and described herein. Suchmethods can be stored in memory as machine readable instructions. Themachine readable instructions corresponding to the methods can also beexecuted by a processor in a computer, such as a server, for example.Before proceeding, it is noted that FIG. 3 provides a generalized methodthat describes the basic components of network configuration for deviceshaving constrained resources. FIG. 4 provides an example of a first timeconfiguration method for devices having constrained resources, and FIG.6 illustrates an alternative configuration method for devices havingconstrained resources.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method 300 for configuring a networkdevice having constrained resources. At 310, the method 300 includesreceiving a wireless beacon from an ad hoc network at a wireless device,wherein the wireless beacon includes a data structure that encodes atleast a portion of a wireless identifier of an access point. Suchwireless beacon can be transmitted via a local configuration device suchas a laptop computer or a wireless appliance. The beacon can be receivedby a constrained network device, such as a home controller having awireless connection. As described above, the home controller can receiveremote command signals from the wireless device, where such commandsignals could be utilized to operate devices or systems within a home orbusiness.

At 320, the method includes configuring the wireless device from thedata structure received from the wireless beacon. This can includehaving the constrained wireless device configure itself on a startupprocedure such as after a reset button has been selected on the device.The wireless devices can be pre-programmed to receive the beacon,extract the data structure having configuration parameters, and executea configuration function on the wireless devices based on theconfiguration parameters. At 330, the method 300 includes establishing awireless network between the access point and the wireless deviceutilizing the portion of the wireless identifier encoded in the datastructure. For example, this can include utilizing all or portions of aservice set identifier (SSID) to then employ as an identifier toestablish subsequent communications with a wireless access pointidentified by the respective SSID.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method 400 for first time configuration ofa network device having constrained resources. At 410, an ad hoc networkis configured utilizing standard operating system procedures forinitiating such a network. A service set identifier (SSID) is configuredfor the ad hoc network in a first time data structure among otherparameters such as security parameters outlined above in the examplesdepicted in Table 1. At 420, a beacon is transmitted across the ad hocnetwork, wherein the beacon contains the first time data structureconfigured at 410. At 430, a wireless device having constrainedresources is reset and placed into configuration mode. At 440 of themethod 400, the wireless device scans for the SSID and vendor prefix inthe first time data structure received in the beacon. At 450, thewireless device adopts the access point SSID from the first timestructure received in the beacon. At 460, a wireless connection (e.g.,secure connection) is established between the wireless device and theaccess point. After the wireless connection is established between theaccess point and wireless device, the ad hoc network can be discontinuedsuch as shown at 470 of the method 400.

The following provides some configuration procedure examples that can beimplemented for wireless devices in accordance with the methods depictedand described above with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Wireless Device Factory Reset Example:

-   -   1. On Wireless Device, press reset button for a predetermined        time (e.g., about 3 seconds) and release it. Configuration LED        starts blinking.    -   2. Wireless Device enters factory reset state and scans for        beacons and probe requests SSID starting from 3-characted Vendor        Prefix configured by device vendor in EEPROM.    -   3. When Beacon or probe request with Vendor Prefix is found, use        the first time configuration structure received in the SSID for        auto connect to access point.

Wireless Device Connection Process after Factory Reset

-   -   1. Perform Active Scan for a predetermined time (e.g., about 0.5        seconds). Use SSID prefix as access point SSID to scan for. This        can be used to expedite connection processes and to resolve        access point with hidden SSID and SSID length.    -   2. (Alternative) If no access point is found, perform passive        scan for 2 seconds collecting all beacons and probe responses.        Detect access points with SSID starting from SSID Prefix.    -   3. After access point is found, connect to it with SSID detected        in access point's beacon or probe response and security received        in the first time configuration structure. The device then        stores the full SSID that it successfully connected in the        process of the first time structure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of data structure 500 for a subsequentconfiguration of a network device having constrained resources. In thisexample, the data structure 500 can also be referred to as a next timestructure as it can be utilized to reconfigure an already-configuredwireless device. In other words, this data structure 500 can be employedafter the first time structure described above has been utilized forinitial network configuration. As shown, the data structure 500 caninclude a security type field, a security key size field, and a securitykey field. Similar to the data structure 200 described above, thesecurity type field can indicate no security, WEP protocol, WPAprotocol, or WPA2, for example. The security key size field can havedifferent meaning depending on the security type selected. For example,if Security Type=0 (No, KeySize=0). If Security Type=1 (WEP), KeySize=5or D (13). Actual Key Length is KeySize. If Security Type=⅔ (WPA/WPA2),Key Size=0 to F hexadecimal (Actual Key length is KeySize+1). Othercodes, types, and combinations are possible.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for a subsequent configurationof a network device having constrained resources. The method 600 canutilize the next time data structure 500 depicted above in FIG. 5 forfurther network configuration of the constrained device. In this examplemethod 600, both the local configuration device and the wireless deviceto be configured are operational with the access point. For example, at610, the method 600 listens for a next time data structure on adesignated user datagram protocol (UDP) port (e.g., port 100001). At620, the method broadcasts the next time data structure on thedesignated UDP port. Such broadcast can be initiated from a localconfiguration device such as a laptop computer, for example. At 630, thewireless device that has received the next time structure changes itsrespective security settings in accordance with the parameters specifiedin the next time structure. The wireless device may also change otherconfiguration parameters specified in the next time structure.

At 640, the wireless device disconnects itself from the access point andbegins to employ the updated security settings received in the next timedata structure. At 650, the security settings for the access point arechanged to match those designated in the next time structure. Suchchanging of the access point could occur via the local configurationdevice for example or via local switch settings on the access point, forexample. At 660, a connection can be established between the wirelessdevice and the access point utilizing the updated security settingsspecified in the next time structure. Similar to above, the localconfiguration device is not longer required at this point for furthernetwork communications between the wireless device and the access point.

Various alternative configuration examples are possible than those thathave been outlined in the methods described herein. In one configurationexample, connections can be limited to the nearby devices, where afactory default received signal strength indication (RSSI) could be −55dBm, for example. Thus, in the first time configuration procedure, allresults with an RSSI less than factory default setting can be filteredout. In another configuration example, connections to multiple vendorprefixes can be enabled. Thus, an EEPROM (or other memory device) canstore two or more Vendor Prefixes such as Normal Priority and Highpriority, for example. In the first time configuration procedure,capture Beacon, Probe Request or Probe Response can be communicated withNormal Priority and High Priority Vendor prefixes. If only one SSID withvendor prefix is captured, the information in SSID can be utilized bythe wireless device to configure the first time connection. If bothvendor prefixes are captured, the wireless device can use the HighPriority vendor prefix for configuration, for example.

In yet another configuration example, the wireless device can utilizefactory default shared secrets, where the wireless device vendor canassign the shared secret to the device. Shared secrets are securitycodes shared between devices and can be programmed into the deviceEEPROM at the manufacturing process and printed on the label attached tothe device, for example. Wireless device vendors can create a personalcomputer utility to encrypt encryption key fields of the first timeconfiguration structure with a shared secret. Such utility can providean output string that can be copied into the SSID on the configurationdevice and used for the first time configuration procedure. The wirelessdevice can be extended to decrypt the security key from the first timeconfiguration structure using the shared secret, for example. Thedecrypted security key can then be used for the connection to the accesspoint.

In another configuration example, LED and reset control can be providedon the wireless device. A default wireless device reference designhardware configuration can include LED and factory resets that can beconnected to input/output (I/O) connections on the wireless device. Thewireless device reacts upon change in status of reset I/O and changesthe state of the LED, for example. Alternatively, the wireless devicevendor can connect LED and reset buttons to a host device and use EEPROMaccess procedures to change the EEPROM contents to factory defaults ormodify the status of the LED during network configuration procedures toreflect current status of the configuration process.

What have been described above are examples. It is, of course, notpossible to describe every conceivable combination of components ormethodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatmany further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly,the disclosure is intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of thisapplication, including the appended claims. As used herein, the term“includes” means includes but not limited to, the term “including” meansincluding but not limited to. The term “based on” means based at leastin part on. Additionally, where the disclosure or claims recite “a,”“an,” “a first,” or “another” element, or the equivalent thereof, itshould be interpreted to include one or more than one such element,neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

1. A method, comprising: receiving a wireless beacon from an ad hocnetwork at a wireless device, wherein the wireless beacon includes adata structure that encodes at least a portion of a wireless identifierof an access point; configuring the wireless device based on the datastructure received from the wireless beacon; and establishing a wirelessnetwork between the access point and the wireless device utilizing theat least a portion of the wireless identifier encoded in the datastructure.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless identifierincluded in the data structure is a service set identifier (SSID). 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the data structure includes an SSIDprefix, an SSID size field to indicate a length for the SSID prefix, anda vendor identifier to indicate which vendor manufactured the wirelessdevice.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the data structure furthercomprises a security type field to indicate which type of securityprotocol to employ and a security key that is employed to establishsecure connections between the wireless device and the access point. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein the security protocol comprises awireless encryption protocol (WEP), a Wi-Fi protected access protocol(WPA), a pre-shared key protocol (PSK), or a Wi-Fi protected access 2pre-shared key protocol (WPA2 PSK).
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising generating a profile in a connections manager of aconfiguration device to specify the wireless identifier.
 7. The methodof claim 1, further comprising receiving another wireless beacon thatencodes a second configuration data structure that specifies an updatedsecurity configuration for the wireless network.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein the second configuration data structure specifies a securitytype, a security key size, and a security key.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein the second configuration data structure is received by thewireless device over a designated communications port.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the designated communications port is a user datagramprotocol (UDP) port.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprisinglimiting wireless device configurations to signals that are receivedbelow a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) threshold.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising processing multiple vendorprefixes when configuring the wireless device for network operations.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the multiple vendor prefixes includenormal priority prefix and a high priority prefix.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising configuring the wireless device with adefault shared secret code for network configurations.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising utilizing an input/output point on thewireless device to effectuate reset operations on the wireless devicefor network configurations.
 16. A method, comprising: receiving awireless beacon at a wireless device via an ad hoc network, the wirelessbeacon having a first configuration data structure to specify initialnetwork settings for the wireless device; configuring the wirelessdevice according to the initial network settings specified in the firstdata structure; establishing a connection with an access point utilizingthe initial network settings specified in the first data structure;broadcasting a second data structure to the wireless device over adesignated communications port, the second data structure specifying aan updated security protocol for the wireless device; configuring thewireless device and the access point according to the updated securityprotocol specified in the second data structure; and reestablishing theconnection between the wireless device and the access point utilizingthe updated security protocol.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thefirst configuration data structure includes an SSID prefix, an SSID sizefield to indicate a length for the SSID prefix, and a vendor identifierto indicate which vendor manufactured the wireless device.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the first configuration data structureincludes a security type field to indicate which type of securityprotocol to employ and a security key that is employed to establishsecure connections between the wireless device and the access point. 19.The method of claim 16, wherein the designated communications port is auser datagram protocol (UDP) port.
 20. A non-transitory computerreadable medium comprising computer executable instructions that whenexecuted cause a processor to: process a wireless beacon received froman ad hoc network at a wireless device, wherein the wireless beaconincludes a data structure that encodes at least a portion of a wirelessidentifier of an access point; configure the wireless device based onthe data structure of the wireless beacon; and establish a wirelessnetwork between the access point and the wireless device utilizing theat least a portion of the wireless identifier encoded in the datastructure.